The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) yesterday launched its 18th annual Recycle Week, under its ‘Recycle Now’ campaign.
This year, the campaign is asking the public to ‘Step It Up’ and become better recyclers, following WRAP’s recent revelation that, despite 90 per cent of people stating that they recycle, 55 per cent of households still dispose of some recyclable items in the general waste.
WRAP is asking members of the public to check recycling information more closely, stressing that this can make a ‘huge difference to our planet’. The organisation gives several examples of poorly recycled products, including foil, aerosol cans, plastic toiletries, plastic trays, and cleaning and bleach bottles.
Recycle Week aims to unite retailers, brands, waste management companies, trade associations, national and local governments, and media to focus on how recycling can play a part in limiting the depletion of natural resources.
This year’s campaign will see three murals painted on prominent buildings in London, Newcastle and Belfast, each one being a local artist’s interpretation of the ‘Step It Up’ theme. WRAP has stated that the artworks have been created using Ambient Pro paint, which absorbs CO2 and cleans the air of other toxins.
Local councils, businesses and other organisations have joined the campaign, hosting a range of activities to raise awareness of the importance of recycling. The campaign has seen support from major brands, receiving donations from Amazon, Britvic, Coca-Cola, Coop, McDonald’s and PepsiCo.
Last year’s Recycle Week campaign celebrated the British public’s commitment to recycling under the banner, ‘Together – We Recycle’. The campaign went on to receive its ‘best ever’ social media engagement, recording 26 million digital impressions and 185 million interactions through public relations.
Sarah Clayton, Head of Citizen Behaviour Change at WRAP, said: “Now more than ever it’s vital we do everything we can to protect our planet and go that extra mile. Most of us recycle, but we need to do more to combat climate change.
“We need people to look at what they are putting in their bins and ensure they’re the right things. It all adds up. The UK’s current recycling saves 18 million tonnes of CO2 every year, which is the same as taking 12 million cars off the road. We can all help fight climate change by recycling and keeping these items circulating again, and again.”
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.